Autonocast host and famed Cannonball Runner Alex Roy has set another cross-country record for electric cars, this time in a brand-new Tesla Model 3. This week he tells Kirsten and Ed what he loved and hated about the Model 3, how he survived the midwest in midwinter with the heater on low, and why Model 3 owners may not use Autopilot as much as Model S and X owners.
For all the focus on consumer markets for new mobility technologies, commercial vehicles will be some of the first to adopt autonomous and electric drive technologies. One firm attempting to electrify "last mile" delivery vehicles is Chanje, a Los Angeles-based electric vehicle and energy solutions company. Alex, Kirsten and guest host Josh Hartung of PolySync sit down with Chanje COO Joerg Sommer to find out how and why he sees delivery fleets moving into the future.
One of the dynamics that makes the world of new mobility technology so fascinating is the contrast between the giant, decades-old automakers and the much smaller high-tech startups that seek to partner or compete with them. Perhaps the most important question this dynamic raises is: how can the giant industrial firms respond to new technological threats and develop new businesses while maintaining their profit machines? Peter Schwarzenbauer, board member of BMW Group, joins us this week to answer this and other questions from the strategic perspective of a major automaker.
Autonomous drive technology may be creating a new generation of car fans, but it's got a long way to go before matching what Forza Motorsport has done. Alex and Ed caught up with Forza founder Dan Greenawalt at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and picked his brain about his hugely influential game series, the evolving nature of automotive enthusiasm, and the links between gaming and mobility technology.
Discussion of the latest autonomy news was cut short this week in order to make time for a conversation with Nutonomy President Dr. Karl Iagnemma. We learn why Nutonomy's latest pilot looks at consumers rather than algorithms, where to spot its autonomous Renault Zoes, and whether there are still opportunities for new autonomy startups.
Alex, Kirsten and Ed get a ride in the Lucid Air prototype, ahead of their interview with top executives from Lucid Motors. Their conversation features such rare occurances as: Ed being enthusiastic about a car, Alex being critical of Tesla, and Kirsten getting a word in edgewise. Truly, proof that we live in a world where anything is possible!
The Lucid Motors Air may not travel through time and it definitely doesn't look like a phone booth, but its creators tell the hosts of The Autonocast that their futuristic luxury electric car was inspired by the Dr Who spaceship called TARDIS. On the latest episode of Autonocast, Alex, Kirsten and Ed get up close with the Air, lounge in its stunning cabin, and marvel at its innovative design. Then they sit down with the Air's proud parents, Peter Rawlinson and Derek Jenkins of Lucid Motors, to find out what inspired one of the most unique contemporary car designs and how they plan to bring it to market.
On the latest episode Alex, Kirsten and Ed laugh at George Hotz's hilarious takedown of GM's investor deck, evaluate GM's in-car marketplace, debate the wisdom of making cars compete with smartphones, and learn about the latest Lyft-Nutonomy on-road AV trial. Throughout the discussion of all these different topics, a single question lingers: is it better to build up a perceived leadership position now and risk disappointment down the road, or is it better to keep quiet and manage expectations in order to surprise and delight when autonomous projects are actually ready?